What’s the fastest way to sell watches? If you are Omega, its the #SpeedyTuesday. Just a few hours ago, at precisely 6pm Singapore time, the gates to the reservation website were opened, and in less than 2 hours, the 2012 watches, each at S$9,180 were all spoken for. A total of S$18.5 million of sales. Gone in 1 hour, 53 minutes and 17 seconds! (official Omega numbers) For those of you who missed out, or who just reserved one without the full specifications, here are the details of the latest Speedy Tuesday watch: The Omega Speedmaster Ultraman.
Screenshot taken about 7pm Singapore time, barely an hour after the site opened. Officially Omega reports the watches were sold out in 1hr, 53 mins and 17 sec.
This is the second time Omega has pulled off this feat. Both times, using the internet as the only means to reserve a watch. Both times, delivered through Omega Boutiques worldwide. Both times, sold out in record times. We covered last year’s Speedy Tuesday launch here.
The new Speedy Tuesday is officially known as the Omega Speedmaster Limited Edition 42mm “Ultraman” is a tribute the once very popular (and we were told still is very popular among some circles) Ultraman character. This series is a collection of shows created Tsuburaya Productions in Japan: one of the most famous examples of the Kaiju “giant monster” genre. A total of 39 episodes (40, counting the pre-premiere special) were made and aired on Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) from July 17, 1966 to April 9, 1967.
The Omega Speedy Tuesday Ultraman is a nod back to the original Speedmaster 145.012-67 of 1967, which also featured an orange chrono second hand. Only about 3000 pieces were made, an these watches were nicknamed “Ultraman” because in the fourth series of Ultraman: Return of Ultraman Episode 8 featured a Monster Attack Team who had bold orange suits and wore Omega’s Moonwatch with the orange seconds hand.
On the new “Ultraman” the seconds hand hence draws its inspiration from the ’67 original, embracing the same dimensions and shade of orange. As an extension of this theme, the new watch also features a black/orange bezel in anodized aluminium.
The Omega Speedmaster Ultraman
The classic Speedmaster subdials of the new “Speedy Tuesday” hold a few more surprises. As the character Ultraman was only able to stay in superhero-mode for 3 minutes, the minute subdial at 3 o’clock features the first 3 minutes picked-out in orange. A hidden silhouette of Ultraman’s profile appears on the seconds subdial at 9 o’clock , which is revealed by a special strap changer, identical to Ultraman’s Beta Capsule, features a UV lamp at one end, which when shined on the dial, reveals the image.
Also a nod to the vintage watch is the so called step dial, where the dial shows a recessed area around the periphery like the vintage Speedmasters from 1957 to 1968. Modern Moonwatches have a flat dial edge.
Another attention to detail is seen on the so called DON bezel. DON stands for Dot Over Ninety, as opposed to DNN: Dot Next to Ninety. This small detail is a typically a sign for the old C.321 models, and in mint original condition, DON bezels can fetch up to S$3k. The arrow in the photograph below shows this detail.
Another attention to detail is seen on the so called DON bezel.
The caseback features an engraving of #SpeedyTuesday and the words QUALIFIED BY NASA FOR ALL MANNED SPACE MISSIONS. The watch is presented on a black and orange NATO strap and comes with a spare black leather strap.
The movement is the Omega Cal. 1861 and the watch is limited to just 2,012 pieces, the OMEGA Speedmaster 42 mm “Ultraman” is presented in its own hexagonal box: a tribute to the futuristic table used by Ultraman’s Monster Attack Team.
For more information, please visit the official site. Which show pictures of the box and other details.
6 Comments
I agree with all comments above. Nonetheless , its a fun watch and if you have the duckets why not.
Actually Omega have not yet sold $1 worth of watch with this release…
I’m afraid I don’t get the purpose of this watch either. There isn’t much that makes it ‘Ultraman’ and it’s not like Ultraman has that much worldwide nostalgia/appeal. That being said, it’s a nice enough colour, but at that price? Uh, maybe not.
Makes me wonder if it’s a bunch of resellers quickly buying up this stuff.
I think you’re right, they’re being purchased for resale. The problem is, as you mentioned, this watch really isn’t the unique. The previous Speedy Tuesday with the reverse panda dial was far more unique; but here, some colors and tiny details on the dial you almost need a loupe to notice.
My suspicion is that the speculators picking up this piece will be disappointed by the resale prospects, similar to how people negatively approach resale of Bond 007 limited edition Seamasters.
Agree with you two, chances are the moment they are released, there will be ton of brand new Ultraman speedytuesday in the market for a quick flip.
Just hope Omega could do something about these flippers and let those who will really enjoy the watch have a chance to get one, the higher price could also be due to Omgea taking into account these resellers as the price is really getting out of range for non speedy fans and dampen any demands.
There’s one born every minute. In this case, 2,012 born over 2,012 minutes. Suckers the whole lot of them.